The Wisconsin mens soccer heads to Dekalb, Ill., on Sunday (Oct. 22) for an important game against No. 19 Northern Illinois, with kickoff set for 2:15 p.m. at Huskie Soccer Complex.

UW (9-4-2, 3-1-1), which currently finds itself at second place in the Big Ten standings with just one game remaining, will get a break from the pressures of conference play.

This, however, does not take away from the importance of Sundays match up. With the Nov. 6 selection date for the NCAA championships looming, the Badgers can significantly strengthen their resume with a win over the nationally-ranked Huskies (11-3-1).

Wisconsin will come into the game hot, having won five of its last six games. UW also has lost just one of its last nine games.

The Badgers, who swept last weeks Big Ten awards, will look to justify the recognition they have been receiving.

Redshirt freshman Scott Lorenz (Barrington, Ill.) was named Offensive Player of the Week. Lorenz started for the first time of his career against Penn State on Oct. 15, and he made it count by putting in his first ever goal.

Goalkeeper Jake Settle (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) earned the honor of Defensive Player of the Week. This marks the third time of the 2006 season that Settle has been credited with the award. Settle recorded shutouts of Marquette and Penn State on the week, giving him a conference-leading total of eight for the season. He has also moved up to fifth place in shutouts in a single season in UW history.

While coming up with a win in Sundays contest will certainly be no easy task for the Badgers, Wisconsin does have experience this season defeating a highly ranked opponent from its neighbor to the south. UW defeated Illinois-Chicago on Sept. 28 by a score of 1-0. The Flames were ranked No. 7 at the time.

The Badgers will look to leapfrog Northern Illinois in the NCSAA Great Lakes regional rankings. Currently at No. 4, Wisconsin is just one spot behind the Huskies.

UW owns a 14-9-0 advantage in the all-time series against Northern Illinois. The Badgers will, however, look to regain the series momentum, as the Huskies have won the last two match-ups, including last years 1-0 win in Madison.

Wisconsin and Northern Illinois will vie off on Sunday, Oct. 22, at 2:15 p.m. The game will take place in Dekalb, Ill., at Huskie Soccer Complex.